Yes. I picked up a pair of 222-series Silaflexes from the local classifieds a couple of years ago and ended up selling them because the big grip was uncomfortable for me and they were in such great shape that I felt bad about altering them. I now regret this decision (particularly with the 7ft’er) and have resolved that the next one I get my hands on is going straight on the lathe.

I have a total of 5 glass rods that I use for Smallies:
Steffen 8' 7/8 2pc, this one gets fished on the smaller rivers, I found that it really likes a Wulff Triangle Taper 7wt.
********* 8'-9" 7wt 4pc, this one gets used the most, especially when the water levels are near normal or low, this rod will also double as a big trout streamer rod.
McFarland 8'-8" 6/7 4pc, got this blank from back in the Seele days, by far the stiffest glass rod I own, it loves casting big streamers with a 7wt.
CTS Quartz 8'-6" 8wt 4pc, nice stick for casting big surface poppers, I use it mostly out of the boat or float tube, more use on Large Mouth Bass in the lily pads.
Epic 8'-8" 8wt 4pc, when the flows are up on my home turf Hudson and Mohawk rivers, this one gets used, sometimes a big Pike is encountered so it helps to have the extra power in an 8wt to get them in. Its also wrestled in a few Channel Cats, they are like trying to move a hooked bucket up river.

And yet another vote for the ********* 8'9" #7.

Which of these rods has a low swing weight? I have a lot of rods which will launch a 7wt line with some weight, but they all are pretty heavy. Something out of S-glass? A round 8’?

Thanks Heddon. Anyone here tried both the Epic 686 and the Steffen 6/7? I’m sure they are both terrific, but are there some differences of note?

The Epic 686 and Steffen 8-6 6/7, difference is in my opinion, the Epic is a 6wt and the Steffen a 7wt. Both are great casting rods, the Steffen is more of a 7wt, plus it is a bit heavier in the hand also. Generally speaking to, most Steffen blanks are more progressive in taper than an Epic blank, tips tend to be softer with stronger mid and butt sections on the Steffens, while the tapers on the Epics tend to be more of an "even load" though out the blank. Just different designs in taper, both will get the job done and quite well.

Yes. I find the 686 to be a pretty deep flexing blank. It’s fast in that it recovers quickly and without bounce, but it’s not a tippy rod. I don’t have the 6/7 but the 3 Steffens I do have are all consistently more progressive in style. And amazingly similar to one another in feel, actually - I think that’s the most amazing thing about Mark’s rods: seems like a Steffen feels like a Steffen whether it’s a 4/5 or a 7/8.

Steffen 5/6 with an opst 200 grain commando head. Awesome setup.

Last year, the CGR 4 wgt. definitely moved it’s way up my list.

Both great big water rods.
In my little limestone creeks and endemic bass, System 5 is perfect, and I wouldn't pass up a System 6 for smallmouth fishing.

Not sure I have a favorite, but, I like several that are 8' & 8'6" in 7 & 8 wts and they aren't special to small mouth but can catch almost any fish in the creek or lake. I sorta believe any rod in that size would work as well as any other- some days I really prefer one over another, then a week or three later I'll like the other better; small differences in swing weight or balance or action suiting my own mood better on a given day. If I had to choose just one it'd be an unlabeled 8 1/2 foot 8-9wt that I pulled out of a barrel at a discount house forty some years ago. It's only fault is weight in hand and I only notice that after a few hours. The FF80, FF85, FR2000, yellow St Croix and a dozen others that names don't matter all did what they were supposed to. I have even caught small mouth with graphite rods. I'd like to compare all the above mentioned tools one day.

It'd be interesting to fit out all these rods with the same grips, reel seats and guides and paint them all orange or pink for anonymity; then have a group of you all fish with each and pick a favorite by number. Repeat it six weeks later and see if there were changes in choice.